Undergraduate Researcher: Brett Timmons

Snails are intermediate hosts of certain parasites called trematodes that afflict fish species cultured in the Midwest. Currently, hydrated lime and copper sulfate are used to reduce snail populations in aquaculture ponds. However, these treatments don't eradicate the populations and must be repeated frequently, which is both costly and polluting to aquatic environments. Biological controls, in the form of predator species, must also be used for long-term control of snail infestations.

My Undergraduate Research/Creative Activity Award was focused on creating a more-efficient fish predator of snails by crossing redear sunfish (Lepomis microlophus) with warmouth (Lepomis gulosus). Several fish species are currently being used to reduce mollusc populations in commercial aquaculture ponds. They include the black carp, blue catfish, and redear sunfish (which are indigenous to the Mississippi River basin). Although the black carp was found to be the most proficient consumer of mollusc, it is an invasive exotic species and may be listed as an injurous species under the Lacy Act. The redear sunfish is a native species, but it has a relatively small mouth gape, which limits the size of the snails that can be consumed. Consequently, the use of a hybrid sunfish with a larger mouth gape may facilitate elimination of snail populations.

This research is important because aquaculture is the fastest growing segment of agriculture and using natural treatments to control disease outbreaks is better for the industry and the consumer.

—Brett Timmons